Trip Reports
04-07-2006, 12:12 PM
Time of Year: Winter
Travel Method: Personal Car
Resort: Wilderness Lodge
Accommodations: Presidential Suite
Ages Represented in Group: Adult
WDW Experience Represented in Group: Unknown
Comments: Richard tells the heart-warming story of how he asked his Fiancée, Christine, to marry him. It was quite a production, as you'll see...
Editor's Note:
Richard H. Reynolds wrote me awhile back stating, "I am at your site every night, and it saddens me that there is not a part of this wonderful site that is dedicated to love stories in the Magic Kingdom. Please post this to your site, I would love to share our story with the many people out there that believe in magic."
I've decided to handle the request by posting Richard's note as a trip report. However, I am also going to create a special list of "romance reports" that link to the several reports at the site that include honeymoons, weddings, etc. In the future, I'll also add other specialize trip report lists to make it even easier for users of this site to find the information they're looking for.
Early 1997
On January 2, 1997 I finally bought my girlfriend, Christine, an engagement ring. After 10 years of knowing her, it was past due. The next day, I called Magic Kingdom Conventions, it took some time but to find someone to help out, but eventually Keith, one of the convention folks, helped me out.
Over a month of work went into our plans, but it was really cool. I worked on the plans night after night.
First, we'd go to WDW, but I wanted to work it out so that Christine didn't know where we were going, or why. Once at the Magic Kingdom, I'd worked out a scavanger hunt that Christine would have to go on. I'd decided that the object of the hunt would be to recover Winnie the Pooh, who'd been "bear-napped" by Captain Hook. I put together several maps and rhyming clues. One catch is that Christine would have to ride the ride the one attraction that scared her to death...Splash Mountain.
Eventually the plans were complete. Everything was in place including the video and photography (I had to capture this production for posterity). Oh, I also hired Mickey, Minnie, Tigger, and Winnie to meet us in the Rose Garden beneath the Magic Kingdom where I would actually propose.
Now, it was a matter of getting us there.
2/13/97
I drove over to Christines' home and picked her up, she packed the way I told her, but she had no clue where we were going. I blindfolded her, to give me enough time to get out of Miami. About thirty minutes into the trip, I gave her my own "brochure" that I made with Microsoft Publisher that explained where were going.
From Miami to the Osceola Parkway it is about 3 ½ hours, but due to the flat tire we had, the trip was a bit longer.
Little did she know that I checked into the Wilderness Lodge and we stayed in the "Charlie Sheen" room, aka the Presidential. Absolutely gorgeous hotel, and we had a blast. The cast members ushered us in and got us right up to our hotel suite.
2/14/97
At 7:50 A.M., there was a limo waiting for Christine downstairs as we drove over to the Disney Institute. By the way, I had to hire a "bodyguard" for the day because of the plans we had. I tried to get out of it, but Henry was real nice and had all of the connections that were needed to pull this thing off right.
As she was "checked" into the Institute, I ran over at the Magic Kingdom to run through the plans and meet the real photographer, and video people. I also met Keith and a "fake" producer who was a cast member, this person also played the Colonel described below.
Except for minor changes, everything looked good. I ran back to the Institute and acted like I was getting ready for my treatment. After the Institute I had the driver take us to the Village Marketplace where Henry walked us right into the Rainforest Cafe. I mean he flashed his Disney Security badge and said hello to a few people and they walked us right in.
After lunch we did a little shopping, but I knew I would need a nap to kind of come down from it all. We went back to the room and I tried to loosen up but I just could not. My nerves were driving me crazy, 5:00pm came quickly.
At 5:00pm Henry showed up, dressed very nicely as I'd requested. Christine was also dressed up, while I dressed down wearing jeans. We drove around all of the back lots including the Animal Kingdom and heard all sorts of neat stories about Disney, including a new theme park in the year 2000 for adults only, like Pleasure Island, with roller coasters and other fast rides.
Soon it was show time and we pulled up to the Magic Kingdom. As soon as we got out of the limo a "producer" showed up with crew in hand and asked us if we were a couple. When we said yes, he asked if we would sign all sorts of documents giving away our rights for a Disney Channel Valentines Day Special. Christine was not even aware that I had designed all this to throw her off any suspicions she may have had. After doing some crazy stuff the producer bought dinner for us at King Stephans'.
Dinner at King Stephan's was actually part of the plan, too, because at the end of the meal the waiter presented Christine with the first clue and Captain Hook's gold hook. We made our way down the stairway where Colonel McSwagger was waiting for Christine. The "Colonel" separated us to find Pooh (Christine thought we were both working on the scavanger hunt, but separately). Christine went one way and I the other. I ended up in the men's restroom, to change of course. Once changed I made my way to the Rose Garden.
Christine solved the clues that led her to the biggest stuffed Winnie the Pooh I have ever seen. With the last clue, she ended up at the Rose Garden where I was waiting with a jar of honey.
I took a deep breath and walked her down to a chair surrounded by Mickey, Minnie, Tigger, and Winnie. Mickey gave her a box of roses, while Minnie handed over a huge box of chocolate. Then, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. As she said yes (whew), the surrounding crowd yelled and shouted its' approval. It was really an emotional moment.
About a minute later the fireworks began and we stood on the lawn directly in front of the castle and watched an unforgettable show. After we said our goodbyes, we went over to Pleasure Island for awhile and from there called it a night.
2/15/97
While we were driving up a couple of days earlier, Christine had said to me, "I wish my family and us could all be at Disney at the same time". It was because of that comment that we went to Pleasure Island last night so she couldn't call home to share good news. You see, I had been able to have both of our families meet up with us at the Crystal Palace for breakfast.
We made our way back to the MK in the morning, and walked up Main Street U.S.A. toward the hub. As we turned the corner and continued toward the Crystal Palace, I asked "who is sitting in those rocking chairs?" Christine looked and burst into tears -- it was her mother and older sister. Shortly after, the rest of her our family arrived and we had a wonderful time at breakfast together.
After the meal, I was surprised to find that the cast members of the Wilderness Lodge had sent over our very own guide for our day at the park. We went on most of the major rides and didn't have to wait in line!
We had a blast and now have our own spot that is special to the two of us. We are going back July 9-16 and staying at the Grand Floridian to celebrate our fifth month of being engaged.
Thank you for your time and best wishes,
Richard H. Reynolds
rich@mrins.com
Travel Method: Personal Car
Resort: Wilderness Lodge
Accommodations: Presidential Suite
Ages Represented in Group: Adult
WDW Experience Represented in Group: Unknown
Comments: Richard tells the heart-warming story of how he asked his Fiancée, Christine, to marry him. It was quite a production, as you'll see...
Editor's Note:
Richard H. Reynolds wrote me awhile back stating, "I am at your site every night, and it saddens me that there is not a part of this wonderful site that is dedicated to love stories in the Magic Kingdom. Please post this to your site, I would love to share our story with the many people out there that believe in magic."
I've decided to handle the request by posting Richard's note as a trip report. However, I am also going to create a special list of "romance reports" that link to the several reports at the site that include honeymoons, weddings, etc. In the future, I'll also add other specialize trip report lists to make it even easier for users of this site to find the information they're looking for.
Early 1997
On January 2, 1997 I finally bought my girlfriend, Christine, an engagement ring. After 10 years of knowing her, it was past due. The next day, I called Magic Kingdom Conventions, it took some time but to find someone to help out, but eventually Keith, one of the convention folks, helped me out.
Over a month of work went into our plans, but it was really cool. I worked on the plans night after night.
First, we'd go to WDW, but I wanted to work it out so that Christine didn't know where we were going, or why. Once at the Magic Kingdom, I'd worked out a scavanger hunt that Christine would have to go on. I'd decided that the object of the hunt would be to recover Winnie the Pooh, who'd been "bear-napped" by Captain Hook. I put together several maps and rhyming clues. One catch is that Christine would have to ride the ride the one attraction that scared her to death...Splash Mountain.
Eventually the plans were complete. Everything was in place including the video and photography (I had to capture this production for posterity). Oh, I also hired Mickey, Minnie, Tigger, and Winnie to meet us in the Rose Garden beneath the Magic Kingdom where I would actually propose.
Now, it was a matter of getting us there.
2/13/97
I drove over to Christines' home and picked her up, she packed the way I told her, but she had no clue where we were going. I blindfolded her, to give me enough time to get out of Miami. About thirty minutes into the trip, I gave her my own "brochure" that I made with Microsoft Publisher that explained where were going.
From Miami to the Osceola Parkway it is about 3 ½ hours, but due to the flat tire we had, the trip was a bit longer.
Little did she know that I checked into the Wilderness Lodge and we stayed in the "Charlie Sheen" room, aka the Presidential. Absolutely gorgeous hotel, and we had a blast. The cast members ushered us in and got us right up to our hotel suite.
2/14/97
At 7:50 A.M., there was a limo waiting for Christine downstairs as we drove over to the Disney Institute. By the way, I had to hire a "bodyguard" for the day because of the plans we had. I tried to get out of it, but Henry was real nice and had all of the connections that were needed to pull this thing off right.
As she was "checked" into the Institute, I ran over at the Magic Kingdom to run through the plans and meet the real photographer, and video people. I also met Keith and a "fake" producer who was a cast member, this person also played the Colonel described below.
Except for minor changes, everything looked good. I ran back to the Institute and acted like I was getting ready for my treatment. After the Institute I had the driver take us to the Village Marketplace where Henry walked us right into the Rainforest Cafe. I mean he flashed his Disney Security badge and said hello to a few people and they walked us right in.
After lunch we did a little shopping, but I knew I would need a nap to kind of come down from it all. We went back to the room and I tried to loosen up but I just could not. My nerves were driving me crazy, 5:00pm came quickly.
At 5:00pm Henry showed up, dressed very nicely as I'd requested. Christine was also dressed up, while I dressed down wearing jeans. We drove around all of the back lots including the Animal Kingdom and heard all sorts of neat stories about Disney, including a new theme park in the year 2000 for adults only, like Pleasure Island, with roller coasters and other fast rides.
Soon it was show time and we pulled up to the Magic Kingdom. As soon as we got out of the limo a "producer" showed up with crew in hand and asked us if we were a couple. When we said yes, he asked if we would sign all sorts of documents giving away our rights for a Disney Channel Valentines Day Special. Christine was not even aware that I had designed all this to throw her off any suspicions she may have had. After doing some crazy stuff the producer bought dinner for us at King Stephans'.
Dinner at King Stephan's was actually part of the plan, too, because at the end of the meal the waiter presented Christine with the first clue and Captain Hook's gold hook. We made our way down the stairway where Colonel McSwagger was waiting for Christine. The "Colonel" separated us to find Pooh (Christine thought we were both working on the scavanger hunt, but separately). Christine went one way and I the other. I ended up in the men's restroom, to change of course. Once changed I made my way to the Rose Garden.
Christine solved the clues that led her to the biggest stuffed Winnie the Pooh I have ever seen. With the last clue, she ended up at the Rose Garden where I was waiting with a jar of honey.
I took a deep breath and walked her down to a chair surrounded by Mickey, Minnie, Tigger, and Winnie. Mickey gave her a box of roses, while Minnie handed over a huge box of chocolate. Then, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. As she said yes (whew), the surrounding crowd yelled and shouted its' approval. It was really an emotional moment.
About a minute later the fireworks began and we stood on the lawn directly in front of the castle and watched an unforgettable show. After we said our goodbyes, we went over to Pleasure Island for awhile and from there called it a night.
2/15/97
While we were driving up a couple of days earlier, Christine had said to me, "I wish my family and us could all be at Disney at the same time". It was because of that comment that we went to Pleasure Island last night so she couldn't call home to share good news. You see, I had been able to have both of our families meet up with us at the Crystal Palace for breakfast.
We made our way back to the MK in the morning, and walked up Main Street U.S.A. toward the hub. As we turned the corner and continued toward the Crystal Palace, I asked "who is sitting in those rocking chairs?" Christine looked and burst into tears -- it was her mother and older sister. Shortly after, the rest of her our family arrived and we had a wonderful time at breakfast together.
After the meal, I was surprised to find that the cast members of the Wilderness Lodge had sent over our very own guide for our day at the park. We went on most of the major rides and didn't have to wait in line!
We had a blast and now have our own spot that is special to the two of us. We are going back July 9-16 and staying at the Grand Floridian to celebrate our fifth month of being engaged.
Thank you for your time and best wishes,
Richard H. Reynolds
rich@mrins.com